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1 Cayuga County Highway Department Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan For Owasco Lake Watershed PURPOSE: This memo is to define the measures that are and will be used when working in the Owasco Lake Watershed. TYPICAL PROJECTS: Projects that are typically performed by the Cayuga County Highway Department (CCHD) highway maintenance forces include but are not limited to routine ditching, culvert cleaning or replacement, shoulder cutting and occasional “emergency” ditching to relieve flooding during seasonal rain storms or spring thaw runoff. Ditching involves removal of accumulated sediment in ditches and storm water drainage areas to a grade or elevation that meets the original design criteria. Culvert Cleaning is the removal of sediment from cross culverts and driveway culverts usually performed while ditching. Deteriorated or damaged culverts will be removed and replaced during this process. Shoulder Cutting is the removal of excess sediment or sand from the side slopes and areas adjacent to the paved shoulder of the road. The excess is usually caused by sand and sediment being washed to the shoulder which then accumulates and may allow the growth of vegetation to occur. The removal helps to prevent scouring and channeling and allows the water to flow more freely off the road surface. Emergency ditching will be performed when seasonal flooding occurs in areas where a threat to human life or loss of property is possible. Ditching will be done to relieve flooding or “ponding” with the flow directed to existing road ditches. ROADS INCLUDED: See attached list and map. PROCEDURES: When the need for routine maintenance ditching, culvert maintenance or replacement and shoulder cutting arises, the CCHD will adhere to the following plan: When practicable, ditching will be limited to seasonal periods of low erosion potential. No ditching operations will be performed during periods of rain or periods of anticipated rain. Any and all exposed ground surfaces will be seeded and mulched by CCHD forces or as directed by the CCHD. October 13, 2010 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 When cleaning or replacing culverts only the minimum area required will be used to perform the necessary work. When work is complete any and all exposed ground surfaces will be seeded and mulched by CCHD forces or under the direction of the CCHD. When shoulder cutting, all material that is removed will be transported and disposed of according to current regulations. If possible, when work is complete, all exposed ground surfaces will be seeded and mulched. When possible a grass strip will be left between exposed surfaces and the ditch to allow filtering of the runoff. When performing any ditching, culvert cleaning or replacement and shoulder cutting within 1000 (one-thousand) feet of the lake, the use of (upslope and down slope) straw/hay bales, silt fences or erosion control blankets will be used to control sediment and construction material pollutants from leaving the site. This will be mandatory in areas where ditch slopes are greater than 15% (fifteen percent). All temporary erosion control structures will be left in place until the new vegetation is established. Emergency ditching will be performed following periods of above normal rainfall to prevent/minimize damage to roadways, property loss and threats to human life. All necessary notification to law enforcement and fire fighting agencies will be performed prior to commencing any work. Ditching will be as minimal as possible to relieve water in flooded areas along county roads by directing the flow to roadside ditches or drainage structures. All excavated materials will be stock piled and replaced in the ditched areas as soon as practicable. Erosion control measures (silt fences, etc.) will be utilized as required. STONE CHECK DAMS: Stone check dams will be placed as needed in road ditches along steep grade roads. They will be constructed in accordance with current CCHD specifications at locations determined by CCHD work forces. They will be left in place as permanent “structures” as a means to reduce erosion and control runoff. They will be placed in road ditches only and not in streams, creeks or other natural water courses. FLUID SPILLS: All CCHD Supervisors Vehicles will be supplied with spill packs to be used in the event of a fluid leak. October 13, 2010